Dolphins undergo “paradigm shift” in free agency

As the Dolphins chase receiver Mike Wallace — a fairly obvious target for a team that doesn’t have enough of them in its passing game — he may not be the only guy the Fins pursue, or catch.

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald explains that the Dolphins are in the midst of a free agency “paradigm shift,” which will cause them to explore players they previously would have ignored.

Salguero points to the fact that the Dolphins are interested in 37-year-old defensive back Charles Woodson and could be ready to make a run at 32-year-old receiver Wes Welker. In the past, the Dolphins wouldn’t have been able to get past the advanced age of free agents.

But why the change? Salguero doesn’t offer a specific reason, but here’s the most likely reality. Apart from the boost that big names can bring to a stadium with large, glaring patches of orange emptiness, the Dolphins eventually need to persuade a skeptical electorate to show up and vote “yes” for the use of public money to renovate SunLife Stadium.

What better way to do that than to spend a bunch of money on big-name players and hope this will create the kind of excitement that not only sells tickets but also buys votes?

I know I am going way out on a limb here but it could have something to do with the fact that they would like to improve the team, win a couple of more games, give the Patriots a run for the AFCE and at the very least advance to the playoffs as a wild card. I know this is an earth shattering revelation but the possibility does exist.

Attention Miami Dolphins, you cannot build a winner through free agency…see Washington Redskins. They used to foolishly overpay for big name free agents and it never worked. Only until they started drafting better did they also improve.

Philadelphia is a more recent example with the “Dream Team” of free agent acquisitions that did nothing. The Dolphins will learn only after blowing a gazzilion dollars in free agency.

I doubt Charles Woodson is going to fill any seats. The “paradigm shift” is that the Dolphins seem willing to actually spend some money on free agents instead of cheaping out every year when they typically go for “acceptable” instead of “extraordinary.”

If the Dolphins don’t win, it won’t matter who they sign in FA. Folks on South Beach aren’t watching the ticker to see if Mike Wallace got signed. However, if Wallace is lighting it up for a 4-0 Dolphins team, folks down there may start buying tickets again.

I have been reading about the Dolphins and Free agency for years, on how they are always on the verge of signing all the top players…hasn’t worked out for them so far, and I hope that continues. It would be one thing if you had a franchise QB and the getting pieces like Welker and or Wallace, but you don’t have that. Here’s hoping that the spurning of South Beach continues! Squish the FISH!

Sounds like a plan to me, go all out Ireland cause if we don’t win this year you may never get a GM job again in your life. Although most believe Ireland is an ass he really isn’t that bad at team building and has a real chance this year to turn this franchise around and prove he belongs.

I would not call the Dolphins being more flexible to obtain a player (Mike Wallace) who is at the right age and fits a dire need a paradigm shift. The Dolphins and every NFL GM know it’s better to build through the draft. The concept will not change because it leads to the same cap mess the Jets are currently experiencing. I will believe the Dolphins are really interested in Welker and Woodson when they sign them.

A team loading up on free agents in South Florida? Feel like I’ve heard this story. Dolphin fans surely won’t get duped into voting yes on a referendum for a stadium because of a few “splashy” signings after the Marlins debacle will they?

Ireland isn’t desperate, the feeble fans complaining about him like to think he’s desperate. The new coaching staff is not desperate and won’t allow numerous risks just to save their gm from a rabid fan base.

The “paradigm shift” didn’t work real well for last season’s “FA winners”. (Buffalo and the Bucs). Buying retail isn’t usually a good management strategy for a team that has a lot of holes elsewhere (CB, OL, LB, etc)

While Wallace seems like a good fit for them, adding a lot of additional high end FA’s would be short sighted.

Just doing their due dilegence and checking everyone. Probably won’t sign any of them. I hope they do drive up Welker’s price so the Pats can’t resign him. I’m a firm believer, and the record proves it, that the Pats without Welker are not nearly the same team. If they lose him I believe they are no longer a serious SB threat and may not even win the AFC East. He is the MIP on their team. Most Important Player! Yes, I know Brady is an all time great QB, but he was never the stellar QB that he’s been since Welker came along. He player well in two of the three SBs they won, but they won all three by a field goal and they video taped the other teams plays before the games. His stats have gone off the charts with Welker, but no SBs. When Welker doesn’t play, the Pats are a .500 team at best. Brady was lost for an entire year and they still went 11-5 I believe. As far as Wallace? Just say no Reagan! Too much cache for him. Sign Jennings and draft a speedster in the 2nd round.

Look at history … not one wide receiver has ever won a team a Super Bowl (I assume this is the Dolphins’ goal; they haven’t even played in one since the Reagan Adminstration).

Miami can chase all the free-agent receivers they want, but the most that will get them may be a wild-card spot. They aren’t overtaking the Patriots in ’13 (or ’14, or even ’15), and until they get a franchise QB (Tannehill isn’t the answer), they’ll be at most a wild-card contender.

This is why the Ross regime is an utter failure. Instead of patterning himself after great organizations like the Giants, Steelers, Packers and Patriots, this guy just flies by the seat of his expensive pants. Does he really think ?Florida residents will be fooled by this?

They can have all the “paradigm shifts” they want. If the same guy is making the decisions, it doesn’t make any difference.

Ireland is garbage and the team desperately needs a breath of fresh air and a new direction/philosophy. Parcells 2.0 ain’t workin’ folks. Not sure why that remains lost on some people. His track-record, the Dolphins record since he’s been there, the state of their roster, the apathy towards the team in a town they once owned and all the empty seats at the games seem to back me on this. The Patriots are Jack Bauer in the AFC East. The Dolphins are Howard Wolowitz, without the brain…….

It’s a little early to assume that Tannehill isn’t a franchise QB, isn’t it? Dude has played ONE season. People said the same about Ryan and Flacco after their rookie seasons as well…people also said Sanchez WAS one as a rookie. Tannehill wasn’t exactly Blaine Gabbert last year either; he played decently enough with one of the least talented groups of pass catchers in the league, so at least give the kid the benefit of the doubt until he actually shows us otherwise.

As for the statement about free agent spending not working out for the Bucs, how do you figure? Other than Eric Wright (their only defensive signing), it seemed like money well spent. The team improved from 21st in total offense to 9th.

Also, Mario Williams played extremely well for Buffalo once he was healthy. I doubt they regret signing him.

You guys have to stop drinking that “The-Only-Way-To-Build-Is-Through-The-Draft” Kool-Aid. Bad picks can hurt a team just as much as a bad signing. There needs to be a balance of wise free agent spending and solid draft choices for a team to be successful in this era. Do you think the Ravens win the SB without Boldin and McKinnie?

The Dolphins are just checking the merchandise… They have plenty of Draft Picks and will go after Wallace if it stays under $12M. They will sign CB Chris Gamble not Woodson and TE Delanie Walker not Bennett. They dont need Welker because Bess serves that role.

An addition of Mike Wallace and Wes Welker would make Miami a potent offense. With that being said, sign Sean smith and draft a DB in the second rd. draft a pass rusher in the first round to compliment wake. Sign a TE with their 2nd second round pick.